basic cardiac life support (bcls) - Singapore General Hospital

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Third Link : Early Defibrillation This procedure can frequently re-start the heart if carried out early. Studies have shown that early defibrillation is most likely to improve survival rates for out-ofhospital cardiac arrest patients. Every emergency vehicle transporting cardiac arrest patients should be equipped with a defibrillator. Defibrillation works best in the first few minutes after onset of cardiac arrest. If initiated too late, the heart will not respond to electrical therapy. For every minute of delay in delivering defibrillation following collapse, the survival rate decreases by 7 –10%. Fourth Link : Early Advanced Care Advanced Cardiac Life Support stabilises the resuscitated victim’s condition in the most critical phase. It consists of advanced airway management and administration of medication and is frequently carried out in the in-hospital environment. Module 3 The Heart 3.1 ANATOMY & FUNCTION The heart is a hollow, conical, muscular organ situated in the centre of the chest between the lungs and behind the sternum (breastbone). It is about the size of a clenched fist. The Heart in Relation to the Chest The Heart as a Pump Right pulmonary artery Left pulmonary artery Rib Heart Superior vena cava Left pulmonary veins Sternum Xiphoid process Inferior vena cava BCLS Programme It receives blood depleted of oxygen from all parts of the body and pumps it to the lungs. There oxygen is taken up and the oxygen-enriched blood returns to the heart to be distributed to all parts of the body. The coronary arteries are blood vessels that send oxygen-rich blood to the muscles of the heart. 4
3.2 Heart Attack Heart attack usually occurs when a blood clot suddenly and completely blocks an already diseased coronary artery. Coronary artery disease is the end-result of a gradual build-up of fatty deposits (cholesterol plaques) and blood cells in the inner lining of the coronary arterial wall, a process also known as “atherosclerosis”. Over a period of years, this leads to gradual narrowing of the lumen of the vessel, thereby reducing blood flow to heart muscle. Occasionally, the surface of a plaque may split or crack, and attract blood clots, which then cause complete obstruction of the lumen, resulting in “heart attacks”. Coronary Arteries Right Coronary Artery Left Circumflex Artery Left Coronary Artery Left Anterior Descending Artery Symptoms of Heart Attack How to recognize a Heart Attack • Chest discomfort or pain is the most common symptom. It usually has the following characteristics: – uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness, tightness, or pain. – usually located at the centre of the chest behind the breastbone. – may spread to either the shoulder, neck, lower jaw, or either arm and occasionally to the upper abdomen. – usually lasts longer than 20 minutes. • Other symptoms may include any or all of the following: – sweating – nausea (a feeling of wanting to vomit) – shortness of breath – weakness BCLS Programme 5
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basic cardiac life support (bcls) - Singapore General Hospital

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